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Ambulance operators how-to guide

The information below explains the requirements for ambulance operators. This page replaces the former FAQ document.

Click on the topic headings for details.

Mechanical safety inspections completion

Section 17 of the Licensing and Ambulance Maintenance Regulation says that “An operator must ensure that inspections for roadworthiness are carried out on the operator’s ambulances at least once every 180 days by a person who is a certified journeyman in the automotive service technician trade under the Apprenticeship and Industry Training Act.”

It is the operator’s responsibility to ensure that inspections are done and submitted on time.

If an ambulance is out of service for an extended period of time, for mechanical or body repairs, resulting in a late safety inspection, the operator must:

Notify Alberta Health at 780-422-9654 that the unit will be “Inactive” until further notice.

Prior to placing the unit back into service, ensure that the safety inspection is done and sent to Alberta Health. The recorded date for this (late) safety inspection will be the date on which the inspection was done.

Call Alberta Health to have the unit returned to “Active” status.

Register mechanics

It is the operator’s responsibility to ensure that the inspecting mechanic has been registered with Alberta Health. This registry is in addition to any Alberta Transportation inspection certifications that the mechanic may have.

The process to register a mechanic is as follows:

Upon request of the operator, the inspection agency or the mechanic, Alberta Health will supply registration package(s), consisting of an Ambulance Safety Inspection Manual and a Mechanic Registration Form.

The mechanic is required to become familiar with the ambulance inspection standards in the manual, and return a signed registration card. The mechanic, by signing the card, accepts responsibility for inspecting ambulances to the standards set out in the manual.

Renew your licence

Licence renewal will not occur until non-compliant items are corrected.

Vehicles licensed with Alberta Health

A new, used or remounted ambulance not previously licensed in Alberta must receive the Registrar’s approval prior to being issued a unit identification number and being placed into service.

The approval process requires:

A mechanical safety inspection (modified version if the odometer reading is less than 5,000 km; full inspection if 5,000 or more km).

The operator is required to give two weeks’ notice of delivery to schedule a vehicle inspection by an EMS Specialist with Alberta Health.

Weight ticket to verify compliance with payload allowance.

New units that are an addition to your fleet require an Equipment and Supplies Inspection. Replacement units may not require this inspection. The EMS Specialist will record which existing unit will become inactive.

All noted deficiencies must be corrected prior to the Registrar approving the unit to be placed into service.

Out of service vehicles

If a vehicle is involved in an accident or needs extra repairs, the operator must contact Alberta Health at 780-422-9654 stating the unit will not be active until further notice. This vehicle is not authorized to be utilized again until the operator contacts Alberta Health advising the repairs have been completed.

Vehicles no longer in use

If a vehicle is no longer going to be in use, the operator is required to contact Alberta Health and ensure all Alberta Health unit identification numbers and the word “Ambulance” have been removed from the vehicle.

If the vehicle is being sold to another service this information must also be provided.

New ambulance service licence application

Application for a new ambulance service licence or a change in the level of service must be discussed with an EMS Specialist at Alberta Health.

In addition to the application for new licences, the applicant must include a letter of approval from Alberta Health Services (AHS).

Insurance requirements

Regarding vehicle insurance, section 9 of the Licensing and Ambulance Maintenance Regulation states: “An operator must maintain, in respect of an ambulance used in the provision of ambulance services, automobile insurance that includes an endorsement giving the operator permission to carry passengers for compensation and that insures, to a limit in respect of each accident of not less than $2,000,000 exclusive of interest and costs, against liability resulting from bodily injury to or the death of one or more persons and loss of or damage to property.”

Regarding malpractice insurance, section 10 of the Licensing and Ambulance Maintenance Regulation states: “An operator must maintain malpractice insurance under which (a) the operator and each ambulance attendant engaged by the operator are insured against liability for personal injury resulting from negligent acts or omissions in carrying out their duties, (b) the minimum liability for which the operator and each ambulance attendant is insured is $1,000,000 for each negligent act or omission, and (c) the policy includes an annual aggregate limit of at least $3,000,000.”

Each operator is required to provide Alberta Health with proof of vehicle and malpractice insurance by submitting the relevant Certificates of Insurance.

Stay current with Alberta Health

An operator is responsible for contacting Alberta Health whenever their contact information changes. This includes contact name, service address, service phone number, email address and medical director.